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Published on February 9, 2008

Drafters of the 2007 Constitution who introduced rules on conflict of interest had caused trouble for the new government, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said yesterday.

"What is written in the Constitution has damaged the families [of Cabinet mem-bers]," he said after the first Cabinet meeting. Most of the two-and-a-half-hour session was spent clarifying how ministers would have to declare their assets to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC).

Ministers have to declare their assets by March 6, so the Cabinet had to closely consult with the commission about what they needed to report, Samak said.

"It's not only about declaring assets," he said.

For example, one new rule requires the wife of a minister to quit her business if it is inter-preted as a conflict of interest [in case the husband abuses his power to benefit his

wife's business], the premier said.

Some ministers, who are from the business sector, are reported to be concerned about the new rules and asked NCCC officials attending the meeting a number of questions.

They include Justice Min-ister Sompong Amornwiwat, Transport Minister Santi Prompat, Deputy Health Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul and Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pataraprasit.

What is new in the 2007 charter is the wife and children of a minister are not allowed to receive state concessions. The defunct 1997 charter only banned ministers.

Moreover, the new law allows a minister to own only 5 per cent of shares in a busi-ness.

If his or her stake exceeds the limit, the person is not allowed to transfer the shares to his or her partner or children. The 1997 charter allowed the transfer of shares to family members.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation